Didier Ratsiraka: Farewell to the Throne

To everyone’s surprise, out-going President Didier Ratsiraka has left his political headquarters in Toamasina, late on Thursday. His destination: France. The lame-duck President, a few family members, and a handful of his closest advisors flew out aboard an Airbus chartered by French authorities. “I will strive to find a solution to the present crisis, for the good of the nation,” he maintained before his departure. One of his close advisers, José Andrianoelson declared that “He (Ratsiraka) will return”, a statement quite reminiscent of one made by General Douglas McArthur. Meanwhile, sources within Marc Ravalomanana’s inner circle maintain that the former Head of State has, without a doubt, left the Island for good. According to sources close to the President-elect, French Authorities have invited Ratsiraka to leave the country, without necessarily giving up his right to return, if the need arises; they have also guaranteed his security as long as he is in France. A few of Ratsiraka’s closest supporters reportedly tried in vain to keep him from leaving, up to the very last minute.

Diplomatic sources, have revealed that the French Embassy (in Madagascar) has issued some twenty long-term French visas, a move which seems to corroborate those claims, and assertions made by sources within Marc Ravalomanana’s inner circle.

Countdown

In any event, on the battle field, Admiral Ratsiraka is losing ground each and every day. Troops loyal to Ravalomanana have already captured the Northwestern Province of Mahajanga. And while pro-Ratsiraka governor, Etienne Razafindehibe is nowhere to be found, the pro-Ravalomanana replacement is about to take over.

In Toliary, pro-Ratsiraka governor Maharante, who earlier has threatened to fight to the bitter end, has also vacated the provincial seat of government. According to military sources, not only has the latest turn of event activated a kind of countdown for those governors who remained loyal to the out-going President, it has also pushed him aside, and eventually will force him out.

The former Head of State has confirmed that he would go to Libreville on June 18, 2002 to attend a meeting of the Central Committee of the Organization of African Unity. Prior to his presumed “return” to the country, the Province of Toamasina, known to be his political stronghold, would have most probably fallen into the hands of Ravalomanana’s troops. In which case, Didier Ratsiraka, will probably punctuate the end of his reign by declaring that he was in fact dethroned in absentia, a victim of circumstances beyond his control!

Translated by Jeanne Françoise Razanamiadana